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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

Space tourist may replace Kazakh cosmonaut on Fall '09 Soyuz flight

Space Adventures held a media telecon on Friday to announce that one of their clients may have the opportunity to fly to the International Space Station on Soyuz TMA-16, launching this fall.

"We have learned from Roscosmos that the third seat aboard Soyuz TMA-16 may not in fact be used by the cosmonaut from Kazakhstan," said Space Adventures president and CEO Eric Anderson, adding that if Kazakh Aydyn Aimbetov does not fly, then "Roscosmos is considering both the possibility of another spaceflight participant opportunity for Space Adventures or using the seat for a professional Russian cosmonaut."

Anderson said that this development was an example of how space tourists might follow Charles Simonyi to the ISS before the expected 2012 dedicated Soyuz flight of two Space Adventures' clients.

"At this point, it is too early to confirm whether such an opportunity firmly exists aboard Soyuz TMA-16 but I mention it to show that it is a distinct possibility, and in fact we believe there will be likely future opportunities for space travelers to visit the space station from time to time, even outside the scope of Space Adventures' private missions," he said.

Anderson did not share who would be the candidate for the September 30, 2009 Soyuz mission if it becomes available, but said that spaceflight participant back-ups Nik Halik and Esther Dyson would be well suited, having already completed their training.

Announced in November 2008, Aimbetov's seat on Soyuz TMA-16 was organized under a commercial contract between Roscosmos and the Kazakh government.

Soyuz TMA-16 will be commanded by Russian cosmonaut Maksim Surayev and U.S. flight engineer Jeff Williams, who together will join the Expedition 21 crew on the space station.

Robert Pearlman

From journalist Jim Oberg, citing the Moscow Post:

Anatoliy Perminov has told newsmen that for financial reasons, Kazakhstan will not use the flight opportunity on a Soyuz in October. Roskosmos is now seeking a replacement for that crewmember -- either a paying 'tourist' or a Russian cosmonaut, or someone else...

Delta7

Roskosmos is now seeking a replacement for that crewmember -- either a paying 'tourist' or a Russian cosmonaut, or someone else...

I'll go! (Do they take IOUs?)

Robert Pearlman

The identity of the spaceflight participant who will fly with the Soyuz TMA-16 crew will be announced on June 4, according to Roscosmos.

Robert Pearlman

Space Adventures release

Space Adventures, Ltd., the only company that provides human space missions to the world marketplace, invites members of the media to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in Montreal and to the Press Hall of The Expocentre (International Exhibitions and Conventions Center) in Moscow as they announce the identity of a Canadian entrepreneur who is slated to launch with Soyuz TMA-16 crew this September. The announcement will take place on Thurs., June 4th 2009 at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

music_space

Canadian Space Agency Release

Media representatives are invited to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for the announcement of the first philanthropic mission to the International Space Station by a private Canadian explorer, slated to launch with Soyuz TMA-16 crew this September.

Oh! is this exciting! A Canadian? A philanthropic mission? Maybe it is my former boss Guy Laliberté at Cirque du Soleil, a noted philanthropist? Or his former collegue Daniel Gauthier, with whom I discussed this very possibility a few weeks following Tito's flight back in 2001?

Maybe it's yours truly, and no one has bothered to tell me yet?

Anyway, I'll be there for the announcement!

Bob Thirsk crewing the ISS and Julie Payette almost on her way too (see this post)... then this! What an exciting month to be a Canadian!

quote:Originally posted by music_space:Maybe it is my former boss Guy Laliberté at Cirque du Soleil, a noted philanthropist?

NASA Watch is suggesting the same, which would be quite interesting if true.

François, I remember our discussing his candidacy back at the time you spoke with him (when I was still marketing director for Space Adventures). If memory serves correctly, on your suggestion, I penned a letter to him inquiring about his interest.

Whoever the candidate turns out to be, I have requested an interview following the press conference.

alanh_7

I agree, with Francois, this is great period for the Canadian Space program. Robert Thirsk, Julie Payette, a space tourist mission, on top of two new astronauts (David Saint Jacques and Jeremy Hansen) named in May and this is turning into an amazing period for the Canadian Space program.

The Cirque du Soleil has confirmed that founder Guy Laliberte will become Canada's first space tourist when he blasts off on board a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in September.

The 49-year-old Laliberte, who is already in Moscow for Thursday's official announcement, will also become the third Canadian to visit the International Space Station this year.

Delta7

One would think people like Nik Halik or Esther Dyson would get priority, being that they've come as far as they have. But it probably all comes down to money, who has the most to spare, and has it right now.

gliderpilotuk

What's the "philanthropic" aspect of his spaceflight? A matched donation to charity?

Robert Pearlman

One Drop Foundation release

About Guy Laliberté's Poetic Social Mission in Space

In September 2009, Guy Laliberté will undertake a groundbreaking, ground-leaving adventure of a lifetime. The Founder of Cirque du Soleil and the ONE DROP Foundation will become Canada's first private explorer in space and the first to engage in a Poetic Social Mission in Space.

During his 12-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Laliberté's unique social/humanitarian mission will have one clear purpose: to raise humanity's awareness of water-related issues.

Traveling has always been a part of Laliberté's life, and he has been researching the possibility of space travel since 2004. That being said, the timing and purpose needed to be right.

This is the time... The first Poetic Social Mission in Space is a symbolic moment for Laliberté. After 25 years, Cirque du Soleil will be introduced to Russia, the country where Laliberté is training for his voyage and from where the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft will launch him and the Expedition 21 crew into space. The timing could not be more appropriate!

The purpose is also clear... Laliberté's mission in space is dedicated to making an impact on how water, our most precious resource, is protected and shared. And he will be applying tools he has used so well for most of his life to bring about change: arts and culture.

Information about our world's water-related issues will be conveyed using a singular poetic approach. The messages he will transmit from the ISS will build awareness for ONE DROP Foundation initiatives, its objectives and dream of "Water for all, all for water."

International business and aviation attorney training alongside primary crew member Guy Laliberte

Today, Space Adventures, Ltd., the only company that provides human space missions to the world marketplace, announced that Barbara Barrett is currently training as the back-up crew member alongside orbital spaceflight candidate Guy Laliberte, who is preparing for the Soyuz TMA-16 flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

"It is a privilege to have Barbara take part in our orbital training program. As an instrument-rated pilot, along with her knowledge of the aviation industry, she is a perfect candidate," said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. "Currently, she's in Star City training with Guy Laliberte as he readies himself for his spaceflight mission this September."

Space Adventures became world renowned in 2001 with the launch of client Dennis Tito, the world's first privately funded spaceflight participant. Since then, the company has launched five other spaceflight missions, including two for Charles Simonyi. Dr. Simonyi became the company's first repeat orbital client when he launched to space in March.

After successful completion of the program, Barrett will be certified as a 'fully trained cosmonaut' and will be named to an official space mission crew. This is a distinction that less than 1,000 people have ever had.

"Training as a backup for the September space launch is an adventure - and education -- of a lifetime," said Barrett. "The space frontier inspires young people today just as it did Galileo and Copernicus centuries ago. Students today who build science and math skills will have access to the thrill of space travel almost routinely in their lifetimes."

About Barbara BarrettBarbara Barrett is an international business and aviation attorney. She is President and CEO of Triple Creek Guest Ranch, a Montana Hideaway. Until January 2009, Barrett was U.S. Ambassador to Finland. Prior to Finland she served on the corporate boards of Raytheon, Exponent and The Mayo Clinic, and was a trustee of Aerospace Corporation and Thunderbird School of Global Management. She was a member of the Boards of the Space Foundation, Horatio Alger Association, the Smithsonian and Harvard's Institute of Politics. Earlier she was a Senior Advisor to the UN, President and CEO of the American Management Association, founding Chairman of Valley Bank of Arizona, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Vice Chairman of the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board and executive/officer of two Fortune 500 corporations. Barrett was President of the International Women's Forum and Chairman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. Barrett and her husband, Craig, live in Arizona.

Robert Pearlman

Cirque du Soleil release

Guy Laliberté's First Poetic Social Mission in Space

"Moving Stars and Earth for Water" International artists for a global event

Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil and the ONE DROP Foundation, unveiled the artistic concept behind his poetic social mission, which will be carried out from the International Space Station (ISS). This is the first ever artistic and social event to originate from space.

Under the theme "Moving Stars and Earth for Water," the poetic social mission will take place on October 9, 2009 (GMT) in 14 cities simultaneously around the world. For 120 minutes, the earth will gaze up at the stars and resonate to the rhythms of artists and world-renowned figures who will demonstrate their commitment to water and pay tribute to this vitally important natural resource.

14 cities on five continents... and space

The event will take place simultaneously at 20:00 (EDT, -4 GMT) in Montreal, Moscow, Santa Monica, New York City, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Marrakesh, Sydney, Tokyo, Tampa, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, London and the International Space Station.

In each of the cities, an "artistic moment" will unfold in the presence of artists and world-renowned personalities. Each city will have its own theme related to water. The following have already confirmed their participation: Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, A. R. Rahman, Cirque du Soleil, Claude Challe, Dr. David Suzuki, Fnaire, Frank De Winne, Garou, Gilberto Gil, Gregory Colbert, Jean Lemire, Julie Payette, Maud Fontenoy, Patrick Bruel, Peter Gabriel, Peter Lik, Shakira, Simon Carpentier, Tatuya Ishii, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Tiffany Speight, U2, Vandana Shiva and Yann Arthus- Bertrand. They will take part in the event either by reading parts of the poem, performing or sharing an artistic work.

"During the past 25 years, my travels on earth have allowed me to meet extraordinary people: artists, leaders and friends," continued Guy Laliberté. "I am deeply touched that they have accepted to contribute their voices, their talent and their creativity to my artistic project. They have done so because they share my concerns about water and my belief that through art and emotion we can convey a universal message."

A poetic tale for water

The arts, including music, dance, visual arts and photography serve as the connecting thread for Guy Laliberté's poetic social mission to create awareness everywhere through emotion. Each artistic performance will include a subtext that presents humanitarian factors associated with water issues.

Central to the concept is a poetic tale imagined by Guy Laliberté and written by internationally celebrated Canadian author Yann Martel (Life of Pi). The tale will be delivered piece by piece, one city at a time, read by renowned personalities.

"When I decided to join Expedition 21, I knew there would be an artistic component to my mission," said Guy Laliberté. "I am an artist, not a scientist, so it was my duty to contribute in my own way. On the very first day of my training, I began to reflect on my artistic approach. The inspiration came from tales and children's dreams. I decided that the artistic framework of our global event would be a poetic tale. My wish is to touch people through an artistic approach and if we manage to do so, we will go beyond awareness."

Guy Laliberté's role in the artistic project

Throughout his expedition aboard the International Space Station, Guy will present videos and photographs that will be integrated to the events taking place in each of the 14 cities. These images will leverage his exceptional point of view of the earth and he will share his impressions with audiences in each city.

"During my training and preparation for this flight, I have found that many in the international space community share my concerns about water and support my project," said Guy. "They understood my intentions and they also agree that using an artistic language will allow us to reach not only the interested space community, but the people who are not ordinarily interested by activities in space. I want to thank them for their genuine openness and understanding. Their support is invaluable to me because it confirms that even if there are six billion of us, we can work together toward a common goal and change the world... one step at a time, one drop at a time."

A global webcast

All 14 events will be made available live in their entirety on onedrop.org in a global partnership with aol.com.

Guy Laliberté will travel to the ISS on board the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft with Expedition 21 crew members: Russian cosmonaut Maksim Surayev (Commander) of the Russian Federal Space Agency (FSA) and NASA astronaut Jeffrey Williams (Flight Engineer). Guy will become the first Canadian private space explorer. His journey will be the first social artistic mission in space. The launch is scheduled for September 30, 2009.

gliderpilotuk

A veritable luvvie-fest!

music_space

Having worked for Cirque, met the man a few times and followed his endeavours for years, this is quite exciting.

The One Drop Foundation, via Youtube, has maintained a corpus of English and French video messages from Guy Laliberté in training.

Even if you don't dig French, have a look at this two-minute one. Hear his enhusiasm in my (and Julie Payette's) native language.

Even if you speak French, this may be hard to decipher, because Mr. Laliberté makes no bones about speaking to his Cirque crews in pure Québécois! ;-) But you can enjoy his English version of the messages too.

First Canadian private space explorer will focus on water-related issues

Space Adventures, Ltd., the only company currently providing human space mission opportunities to the world marketplace, today announced that its orbital client Guy Laliberté and his crew successfully launched aboard a Soyuz-TMA spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan en route to the International Space Station (ISS). Laliberté joins the Expedition 21 crew, which includes Russian cosmonaut Maksim Surayev and NASA astronaut Jeffrey Williams.

During his 10-day stay at the ISS, Mr. Laliberté will share information about water-related issues through an artistic and poetic mission, themed "Moving Stars and Earth for Water." The message he transmits from space will raise awareness for the ONE DROP Foundation. The centerpiece event will take place on October 9 from space and in 14 cities simultaneously around the world, beginning at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

Central to the mission is a poem written by Canadian author Yann Martel. The tale will be delivered piece by piece, one destination at a time. The event will broadcast live on onedrop.org.

"Traveling has always been my way of life and I have been researching the possibilities of space travel with Space Adventures since 2004. But I needed it to be the right time and for the right purpose. This is the time. And the purpose is clear: to raise awareness on water issues to humankind on planet earth," said Guy Laliberté. "My mission is dedicated to making a difference on this vital resource by using what I know best: artistry. This will be the first poetic social mission in space."

"The launch of Guy's mission is the eighth orbital flight that we've facilitated and represents our continued commitment to providing spaceflight opportunities for private individuals. Each of our clients is unique, but Guy is our first client who does not have a technical background. Rather, he's an artist, a performer... a creative genius," said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. "We're proud that we are able to make his childhood dream a reality and look forward to assisting many others in their quest to fly to space as well."

music_space

In a webcast from the Canadian Space Agency at noon Eastern time, journalists could talk to Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO for Cirque du Soleil.

Asked how Laliberté's mission could get so much logistical help from four space agencies, Lamarre said that what motivated the agencies to support such a private mission was One Drop's mission to raise awareness to the situation of potable water on Earth.

The CSA provided informational and logistical support to Laliberté's mission. For example, they opened the agency's media room last night for members of Laliberté's family to see the launch, including his parents (who didn't accompany his entourage in Russia). CSA active astronaut Julie Payette, a friend of Laliberté, also provided support and was part of close friends in attendance for the launch.

Lamarre said that he met yesterday in Russia with "le grand patron" (in French: the "big boss") of NASA, Charles Bolden.

Asked about Laliberté's flown personal items, Lamarre mentionned that nothing is flown for him personally, but added that Laliberté is bringing some music from Cirque, and also a video made by his friends gathered in Kazakhstan just hours from the flight.

Upon the mention that a strong bond has developed between Laliberté and TMA-16 commander Maxim Suraev, Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean, the president of the CSA, said that by knowing "when to step back and when to step forward" in his dealing with his crewmates and teammates, Laliberté exemplifies "the way we are in Canada".

music_space

"Oh Mamy Blue"...

We have heard Suraev's crew sing that old song a few times already in pre-flight footage broadcasted on NASA TV. And I presume that it has been a recurring pleasantry for some time, conceivably inspired by spaceflight participant Guy Laliberté.

In line with the clown persona that crewmate Laliberté has chosen to express in recent weeks, it is interesting to note that Québécois TV clown "Patof" used to sing an adapted version of "Mamy Blue" during the 1970's, while Laliberté (and yours truly) were teenagers.

And for all that previous talk that Guy would be teasing his teammates in space, he is the one being gotcha'ed publically by his station crewmates.

While Laliberté is answering his first question of the event (a question by Robert Pearlman for collectSPACE.com, which he answers at 1 minute 53 seconds), Romanenko and Surayev successfully make Laliberté believe that the microphone is not switched on.

While Guy starts answering, Romanenko can be seen conspiring with Suraev in the back row. Nicole Stott gets the wind of it and chuckles in anticipation.

Guy quickly realizes that he has been had, and slides out of it in style, not missing a beat on his answer. He seems to be quite well socially integrated to this crew.

Then again at 10m55s, Suraev pokes Guy with his foot...

At 11m40s, he is asked about the relevence of his 35M$-or-so-mission. While he sighs at having again to answer that question, Nicole Stott taps him on the shoulder for support...

music_space

Laliberté is said to have put a soap bubble show for TMA-16 while chasing the ISS, as reported by CBC news.

This is safer indeed than Laliberté's former performance specialty of fire breathing!

music_space

One Drop Foundation has received a downlinked from the ISS with a vlog-type video with Guy Laliberté.

The Foundation has confirmed to me that his video was made in the night between the 3rd and the 4th Octobre. You see him struggle to stay still, just like Ed White II back in the days… Laliberté has gotten the hang of it on time for the in-flight press event of 6 Octobre, though.

music_space

The business end of Laliberté's mission, the Poetic Social Mission's multi-city show event "Moving Stars and Earth for Water", will happen this Friday, 9 october 2009, starting at 8pm EDT. See these One Drop Foundation pages:

This last page notes the contribution of CSA astronaut Julie Payette, among several world-class luminaries. The only mention of live-from-ISS contribution from Laliberté is a discussion with Bono in Tampa; it is however understood that Laliberté will read a poem in several segments from the ISS.

The original poet has been replaced (stirring controversy in Québec) by Yann Martel, an author of novels including "Life of Pi", winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2002.

music_space

Cirque du Soleil has put on youtube this video, where in-rehearsal artists through the world lipsync on "Mammy Blue". It may be presumed that the song, which has become an inside with the crew (at least TMA-16's) might be part of 9 October's show.